Jenks, OK

As we get busy over the holidays, it's easy to become an accident statistic. I hope everyone that reads this blog is careful and avoids these common holiday time accidents!

1) Fires- Electrical fires are very common during the holidays due to holiday lighting and fires caused by candles are also very common. The most common thing to catch fire is the Christmas tree, especially if the pine needles are very dry.

2) Poison- Alcohol poisoning is quite common with children mistaking drinks like eggnog and other colorful drinks as something they are supposed to drink. Plants like mistletoe are also somewhat poisonous. Go to the American Association of Poison Control Centers website AAPCC.org for a guide for what to do and who to contact for various symptoms. www.aapcc.org/dnn/Portals/0/2010%20National%20Brochure.pdf

3) Traffic accidents- Due to an increase in drunk drivers during the holidays, people rushing around and inclement weather, there is an increase in accidents during the holidays. Contrary to popular belief, New Year's Eve is not the day when most drunk driving accidents occur, it is Thanksgiving according to lifetips.com. Plan ahead if you are going to go to a party and drink.

4) Hanging Christmas lights, using chainsaws and shoveling snow!!!- The holidays are a time that people might exert themselves doing unfamiliar tasks, use equipment that they don't typically use or exert themselves more than usual. Cold weather can add stress, it is important to take it easy during these types of projects. One gruesome statistic: There are around 28,000 chainsaw accidents each year, often with people that are not used to using a chainsaw requiring an average of 110 stitches, yikes!

Oh, and did I forget that according to the New England Journal of Medicine 2000, over the six week holidays, people gain an average of three quarters of a pound which they do not shed during the course of the year, adding to long term weight gain. I think it's great to enjoy the holidays, just have a plan for burning extra calories in the New Year so the extra weight is not lugged around for all of 2012!!

This is my families favorite time of year! The weather starts cooling down, leaves begin to change color, and the holidays are coming! Right now is a good time to have your furnace inspected and serviced. The COLD weather is coming!

AirOne is a great company that I have utilized for several years, Shane will take good care of you, he is very knowledgable and professional! You can contact him at 918-857-5522.

If you are looking to sell your house during the winter months, you will need a few things. A good realtor(Me), a few bags of salt for the driveway and sidewalk, a furnace that works, keep your house warm even if it is vacant, and a mat next to your door so prospective buyers can take off their shoes while viewing your house.

Have a great week!